For such a time like this
George Barna wrote The
State of the Church in 2002. Barna conducted a survey of self-pronounced
Christians and here's what he found about their knowledge of the Bible.
Now, remember these are
Christians...
- 48% could not name
the four Gospels.
- 52% cannot identify
more than two or three of Jesus' disciples.
- 60% of American
Christians can't name even five of the 10 Commandments.
- When asking
graduating high school "born again Christians" over 50% of them thought
Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
- 61% of American
Christians think the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.
- 71% of American
Christians think "God helps those who help themselves" is a Bible
verse.
No wonder George Barna
said, "Americans revere the Bible but, by and large they don't know what
it says. And because they don't know it, they have become a nation of Biblical
illiterates."
Listen, you may or may
not be an American, I don't know.
But the point of the
result of the survey is, you don't want to be a so called "Christian"
but doesn't know what God's Word is.
You and I should
consistently read, memorize, and meditate scriptures.
This way, we're ready
to defend our faith and encourage others through God's Word.
If you feel some guilt
with the message today then NOW is the time to change.
Just as Christ did, we
are to be those who will stand in the gap on behalf of others who are not aware
of their own vulnerable condition. It is a proactive sacrificial position. Who
is God calling you to stand in the gap for? Perhaps it is a mate; perhaps it is
a coworker who has not come to know the Savior; perhaps it is a wayward child.
Are you willing to become the sacrificial offering to God to change His plans
of judgment because of your willingness to stand in their place? This is a hard
teaching. This is what Jesus did for each of us. When we stand in the place of
another, God moves because of our willingness to stand on their behalf. If we
don't, His plans will go forward because He is a righteous and holy God who
will honor His own word, even if it means destruction. Are you willing to stand
in the breach of the wall for someone today? Perhaps you are the only person
who will stand on someone's behalf.
Always remember......
God has put you where
you are today. You have a sphere of influence. You have a circle of friends.
You have neighbors around you. You have coworkers and others with whom you come
in contact on a regular basis. Will you go to them? Or will you run from them?
You might ask,
"Well, if I don't go, will the job still get done?"
As a matter of fact, it
will get done. The reality is that God doesn't need you. Certainly God doesn't
need me. But God does want us to participate in the process.
When God says go, what
will you say?
Blessings,
Raj Kosaraju
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